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We have a Microsoft Access database split into backend/frontend. What I am looking for is to be able to automatically backup these files on a daily or weekly basis - what is the best way to go about this? We don't want to have to worry about backups for the database, just know that it is occuring automatically on a schedule.

2 Answers
2

Backing up a native Access database is simply a matter of copying the entire database file (.mdb for Access_2003 and earlier, .accdb for Access_2007 and later). Any scripting language would work, even a simple Windows batch file that does something like

copy /Y d:\apps\databases\mydatabase.accdb z:\backups\databases\*.*

re: automatic scheduling of the backup

The Task Scheduler in Windows could take care of that for you. Once you've created your script to copy the database file(s) you can create a scheduled task to run it periodically. See the MSDN article Using the Task Scheduler (Windows) for more information.

that's basically what I'm after. Is there any issue with the database being split into frontend/backend? What if it's in use at the time of backup? Thanks.
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Sean HawkinsMar 23 '13 at 18:30

[1] re: frontend/backend -- The backend file is the one that constantly changes, so that's the one that needs (more) regular backups. [2] re: file (may be) in use -- There is no simple answer to that one. Shared-file databases do not have the same advantages as client-server databases in that regard.
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Gord ThompsonMar 25 '13 at 23:16

What does this mean ? Is it possible to copy it while in use?
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ParhsSep 19 '14 at 11:54

@Parhs Yes, it is possible to copy an Access database file while it is in use (unless it has been opened as Exclusive). However, copying any file while it is actively in use is usually not a good idea.
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Gord ThompsonSep 19 '14 at 12:22

you mean that it can be corrupted ? Like having 7 users
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ParhsSep 19 '14 at 12:29